Electropneumatic brake for railway-cars.



J. s. DoYLE. ILECTROFNEUMATIC BRAKE FOR AILWAY CARS. u Ar'mcmlon4 FILED APR. 23,. 19:0. A 1,141,109. Patented June 1, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. S. DOYLE. ELECTROPNEUMATIC BRAKE FOH RAILWAY CARS.

APPucATloN FILED APR. 23. 1910.

Patented June 1, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2` like) is lost.

AUNITED sTATnsf PATENT caricia.

JAMES S. DOYLE, OF'NEW YRK,

N. Y., AssIGNonL' To THE WESTINGHQUSEAIRBRAKE COMPANY," F PITTSBURGH,PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF` PENNSYLVANIA.

Speccation of letters Patent.

EIJECr RPNEUMATIOBRAKE FOR RAILWAY-CARS.

ratented J une 1, 1915.

Application filed Apri123, 191i). Serial No. 557,186.

wherein provision is inade for converting ,the car running 'motor into a generator in v'case of failure of line current, thereby supy plying current for van electro-pneumatic emergency or service, application of the brakes. 7 Y f 2O A further object of the invention 'is to pro= vide an interlock arrangement whereby iii case. of an emergency 'application 'of the". brakes,ythe servicecoi'itrol of the release of the brakes is rendered inoperative.

brake-control system ofthe character re-' ferred to whereby an emergency application of the brakes to avoid accident is effected Y, automatically and a Awarning or signal is incase of failure ofthe system at any point to properly operate in the performance of the required functions. A further object is to provide an electro- .35 pneumatic systeiii of brake control wherein the brakes arev automaticallyapplied in emergency and a signal is given, if, for any reason, the line current or potential of the s"pply curi-ent, (trolley, third-rail or the 'more fully hereinafter. ,i

- The invention' consists substantially in the construction, combination, location'and arrangement of parts, all as willl be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accom- Otlierobjcctsof the invention will appear panying drawings, and finally pointedN-o it inthe appended claims. In Patent No. 1,090,841, dated March 24:,

10 1914, I liave'shown,described, and claimed an electro-pneumatic brake control mechanism,v wherein provision is madeA for eii'ecting an emergency application ofk the brakes under fcertail contingencies encountered in 25,5 fth 'pe'ra'tioii 'of cars trains. "m" ".Lii v2.71 ,If/' d*r.' Vf-z.-ifi ,111

of the train.

iiislicd Vwhile permitting the handling vof -A further object is to provide means in a 3Q,k given to the .motoiinan of such application The present inventionrelates moreparticularly to multiple unit systems of electropneumatic brake l'control apparatus of the same general character, and the special objects are to provide means in such a system to render the saine reliable and eiiicient in operation, to prov-ide against aoccidents in the operation of street orother railway sys tenis while at the saine time reducing the time interval between trains or cars operating over a street or railway car system, and

to equip all the cars of a train'with such a system and to so coiiple up the cars that they may operate in unison or singly if cut out i i The demands of modern urban, sub-urban, and, inter-urban street or other railway car service7 whether surface elevated or underground, require that i'apidtraiisit be fui."

congested traii'ic. These requirements have ven rise to the practice ot' operatingthe. cars at high speed, and also of operating them in trains made up of many cars.v Byk increasing the speed of operation of ears,4 and the number of cars employednin trains, necessary to handle large or conge'stedrtrafvtic, andto secure rapid transit, increased difficulties are encountered, and increased liability to accident, by reason of collision yor otherwise, is incurred. This is especially true where it is endeavored to shorten the time schedule of operation of cars over a street or railway car system, and also Where it is endeavored to reduce the headway distance` between trains or cars. In securing and insuring greater safety to life and propcrty in the operation of such street or"railway car systems, under the modern conditions of operation referred to,'and in accoi'dance with the principles of my invention, I propose Ito employ a brake mechanismf and to conti-ol the same electrically and pncumatically, both for service stops, under normal conditions of'opejration, Aand for se- 100 curing an automatic-emergency application ofthe brakes iii calsejf accident, or failure for any cause of 'the line current supply and under various conditioiisof exigency that may arise. I also propose to similarly equip 105 each car, and, where vthe cars are. coupled .up into` atrain, to provide suitable train connections wherebv I am enabled to secure Va miiltipleunit system of brake equipment andcontrolgv;

. master switc tion of the brakes.

' switch.

In carrying out my invention I employ a mechanism through which control is maintained of emergency as Well as service applications of the brakes, andthe release thereof, and also through which, if desired, as exemplified in one form of my invention, control is effected of the motor circuit connections, whereby, in case of failure of the line current supply while the car4 or train is under headway, the motors are converted into generators and thus not only serve to exert a' braking effort but also to supply current to effect an emergency or other application of the brakes. I also provide an Ainterlock system whereby the service control of the brake release is rendered inoperative in case of an emergency applica- These and:` other features, purposes, and characteristics of my invention may be practicall accomplished in a Wide variety of specifica ly different ways,

and in synchronous relation throughout a a train of cars. While, therefore, I have shown, and will hereinafter describe various specific arrangements lof the various features of my invention which have roven satisfactory for the purpose, it is to e iinderstood that in its broadest scope, my 1nvention, as defined in the claims, is not to be limited or restricted to the specific Vdetails of arrangement shown.

Referring to the accompanying dra-wings:-Figure l is a view, somewhat diagrammatic, showing a multiple unit system of electro-pneumatic brake control apparatus as applied to a car, and which embodies the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a slightly modified construction and arrangement embodying the same. Figs?) and 4 are detail views in side elevation and top plan, respectively,

vof a form of master controller switch adapted for use in connection with my invention. In the multiple-unit equipment lof cars in accordance with the principles of myin-A vention, the arrangement is the same on all cars. I have therefore shownl an equipment for only one car, it beingunderstoodthat the arrangement is duplicated on each car I of a train, the various circuit and pipe connections being suitably coupled up intermediateadjacent cars in the well known.

matic emergency control lari-an ement adapted to be operated automatica y in v various ways, and under' various operating- .ex'1'l gencies. In case of failure of the line po` tential when a car, ora train of ears, is under headway I provide means whereby the car operating motors may be employed as generators, and the current thus generated utilized to electrically eiect an application o f the brakes, in addition to thebraking action caused by the motors operating as generators. In laddition tothis the motor-.gen-

erator ma also, and obviously, be employed toireverse y rotatethe car wheels if necessary or desired,.in an emergency, to secures uick stop to avert a collision or other accient. I also provide means whereby in case of an emergency or other electro-pneumatic application of the brakes under exigency; to prevent accident, the service release of the Arake mechanism which is under the control of the motorinan cannot be operated. and other features to be more fully explained hereinafter constitute in their cooperative arrangement and relation the principal'characteristics of my invention.

Referring particularly to Fig. A1,.reference sign. A, designates generally the :master switch arrangement, B the motormans brake valve, C 'the motormans electric brakecontrolling switch,- D the fluid pressure controlledlemergency switch device, E, S, and R, respectivel theelectric emergency, service, and re ease control devices, Fan emergency trip device, and G a conduc- .tors cord control arrangement for securing an electro-pneumatic emergency application of the brakes. The duidpressure brake apparatus on the car may be of the usual ty l' comprising a motormans brake valve having the usual operating handle 50, brake pipe 54, auxiliary reservoir 52, brake cylin-y der 53, and automatic or triple valve device 120, the brake pipe 54 of the cars beingconnected up between cars by ythe hose couplings 55.; 'Ihe master switch A com rises, as shown inFigs. 11 3 and 4, a contro handle 56, designed tov operate a contact making device to simultaneously close circuit connec tion between a series of contacts 57, 58 and 59, and the respective contacts 60, 61 and 62." The contacts 57, 58 and 59, are connected up to the source of line current, as, for instance, f

through conductor 63, to the over head trolley or third rail, indicated at 64. The contact making device controlled by handle 56, also is equipped with individual switches 65, 66, 67, arranged to individually open the circuit connection between the contacts 57. 58 and 59, and their respectively corresponding and cooperating contacts 6 0, 61., 62, so

that any one or more of these contact coni nect'ions may be broken independently of' the others. The contacts 57, 60, control the circuit of a magnet 68, through conductor J v ,brakes-The circuitiof magneteGS will be 69,'to-fground at 70M. lWhen this circuit is i l`closedI and', `the ma,griet,isf` energized, Aa valve LZl, -associated vwith;tlliewbrake pipe 54, 1 s 1closed. Whenl said valveis opened, Kthe pres- ,5 sure. in 'thebrake pipe't isgreduced by escaping toetniosphere (Z2, ,thereby elfecting i i an application of `they brakes,-` The'escap'e of air 2115,72, may, if desired, 4be utilized to 4:sound 1a signal such asa; Whistle vto inform the Vmotorman of the'epplication `of the broken; orfvsaid magnetwill becomeV dener' gized incase'olf. `failure of the line potential for.. any cause,` thereby automaticallygelecttormans electric switch 1C, l comprises a. controlhandle farrangedto cpntrol circuit connection between tliepairs of contacts 74, v75,; 76,177;`r and 78,.,79.r The contact 744 is connected. through ,conductor `80- With .the contactil, While'the coperating'. Contact? 5 yis connected to al line,;conductor 81,r extend- `ing throughoutthealentire ,length of the train, beingvsuitably coupled -irp interme- .diateadjacent'cars o ,tthetraiir L'This conf ductor I lWill ,calhtherelease circuit, as the '..brake release .devivce-Rgonfeach car is. con- 11718;,isconnectedbyagwire ,94a with an emero :gencyxelectrical `control device E, oneach lcar. of thitrain, adapted, when energized, to amA eine`rx`ger`1`cyv application ofV `the Thefc'ontact 7 9, r is fconnected to L Th arrangement of the I.circuit ,8111, ,and its connec- I crthitvvhenever said circuit-is gronndedgatanypoilit, all Qlectrofpneumatic f emergency"applicati on .otcthebrak mech a o msm 11's. effected. simultaneously,on all the 0. Cars of the trannfby reason of the encrgizaf `vlce D,-';co1npr1ses an yemergency device Which, when acted upon by a reduction 1n wtrain" pipe ,pressure operates a 1 switch tov gg 5,5 .groundethe'emergency line 84, Ihecircuit .aiofl'theedevice' each car is' completed,

` V from,the: trainfline conductor 83, through @conductor 89, tojground, as at 90.1 4The circuit ofthe .releascdevice R, on each car is` 1,1 iocompleveted from train .line conductor 81,l

.l throughconductor 9,1,switch device 92, and

conductor-93,v to ground, -as at 94. The' svvitch.. device v92 is controlled by the einergencyoco trol devicefE, rin such manner that inganapplication of ,the brakes. Thetnl.

"magnetici: the device ll. The derelease device VR, is broken. This provides a simple and eicient interlock whereby lin caseof an emergency applicationA of the brakesthe release devices R throughout the train, arecutout of the control of themotor, than; `The trip device F, ycomprises al rocky ing member 95, arranged lto be rocked in one ,direction or another, according to the direction 'of travel of ythecar, 'by striking stops placed at convenient'points -along the line of the road. Thejmember 95, carries a Contact strip 496,.wh'icli isl connected through conductor 97,wi'th the circuit of the emergency :control deviceE." Thestrip 96,"coperates With thecontacts 98, 99, according to the'dilrec'tion in which lthe member 95 is rocked. (The contacts 98, 99, arerespectively grounded asat 100, 101. The rocking 1nember95, may also, if desired, serve to operate a valve indicated at 102, and communicating-with thetrain pipe 54, to effect a reduction. of train pipe pressure andY a. consequent application of the brakes. `The conductor-s cord device G, may serve to provide another ,means for grounding the circuit ot-the emergency4 control device E. vthe' cord 103, inayroperatea switch device In this case at 106, thefconductor'IO, being cc'mnectedv to the' circuit of emergency ,controltdevlce E.

104,`to connect the conductor `1,05 to ground crate' a valve',l indicated atv 107, toeft'ect a reduction oftrain pipefpressure andJ aj'consequent application of the brakes. y AFrom tl, foregoingdescriptionit will be ...seen `that the inotorman maintainsv `ther ordi-kv y.nary l'control of the: brake' systeni 'tlircugh the 'b1-alte` valver fAls'o, that -fivhen the master' switch' device A is closed,- a service applicationkd the brakes is effected by bringing the rlever 73 into position to close the circuit connection` between contacts and 77 An emergency application of the brakes n'iay also be effected by grounding thea'vire Sttln'ough contacts 78, 79, andfthe release yThe s'witchdevice 10-1, inayfals serve to :op-

of the brakes is .eifectedjby coupling upcon-` s ta'cts 74: and-75, provided therc'has been no actuation of the emergency control devices- Tl. rlhe emergenc v control circuitnavalso be completed to ground in many different Ways, as, for instiince, through. the lever 73,

thetripv 95, ofthe conductors cord'lOf-l. Any one of the line circuitsniaybecut out at the master switch and a'fail'ure of line potential will resultin an' automaticiapplication' of the brake mechanism; ".l, i

'In Figi 2, I have shown an arrangement embodying certain"modifications in detail. l'n,.th'is a rrangcment the master switch device Alf; "dierstin 'detaihfrrnn thatffshoivn in Figl but it has the function'ot controlling the circuits of the electricaldevicesI which. f xeffect theV emergenr'ay applicationl of the brake liiechanisxm'and `cuts out'the'service release 4. amaca function of the master 'switch it also combeing controlled by an ordinary reversing bines the functions of electric and pneumatic 4switch indicated generally by reference letoperation and control of an emergency apter K, the function ofwhich when actua li'cation of the brakes and a signal device. is to reverse the motor connections in case n this arrangement the master switch emthe supply or line current should fall, there- 1j ploys a pivoted lever l10, having a head 11, b enabling the motor to run as a generator. peculiarly slotted as at 12, and also having a he reversing switch K, may be controlled contact 13. The lever 10 is connected to the in any suitable way, as, for instance, byeline circuit, overhead trolley, third rail, or magnet L, arranged and operating to ho d other line conductor 64, through wire'll/t. the reversing switch K in positionto main- 7| The contact 1.3 carriedby lever 10, coper- .tain proper circuit connections to suplply the ates with a fixed contact 15, while in the motor with current. But should t e line leculiar slot 12, is ep aged the end of a stem current fail for any reason, the reve l y6,whch is connecterto avalve 17,arran`ged switch operating magnet L is denergl'irg to vent fluid undergpressurc from the brake' thereby reversing the motor connections and u pipe 19 through t 'e branch pipe 18. The enabling the same to operate as a generator. eculiarity of the s otf12 in head 11 is that The current thus generated` is; supplied or a portion of its length it remains curved through a conductor 30, contacts31, 32 vand on an arc concentric with its pivot so that wire 29 to an electro neumatic device while rocking Vfrom oi toward on powhich controls the app ication of the brakes y sition it will retain the stem 16 locked thereand thence by wire 110 to the local generator in, while for the remaining portion of itsv circuit, as will resently be more fully exlength said slot is so shaped as to thereafter plained. Inclu ed in the circuit which is release said stem. The stem 16 is retained' controlled by the master switch A and the. l in locking engagement with the head 11 motormans brake valve B', and also in the e. until the circuit connection between contacts circuit supplied by the motor when acting as 13, 15, is completed. Fluid vented from the a generator, is a device indicated genera ly, train pipe 19 by operation of the valve 17 by referencesign O, which in this instance, may be employed to actuate a si nal device is in the form of a solenoid 34, the function 20 which in this instance is a wliistle. Asof which is to control the service release of .5 sociated in the circuit which the master the brake mechanism, thus 4establishing an switch controls is the motormans brake valve interlock relation between the electro-pneu- B, by which a service ap lication of the matic control system and the regulanjserviee brakes may be effected in t e ordinary and control which prevents a release of the usual way, but which also maybe manipubrakes, when once applied in emergency ap# 1 l lated to control an emergency a aplication of plication, by any manipulation on `thepert I v the brakes or the supply of additional piesof the motorman of the motormansservloer.'

sure to the brake mechanism to make a quick control. In the accomplishment of .theelstop of the car or train in case of emergency functions the solenoid 34, controls a bridgexi ency. The motormans brake valve B ing strip 35 which coperates with contract! 1g inc udes an operating handle 21, which con- 36, 37, the arrangement being such that-th trols contacts' 22v and 23 arranged respec- `energization of the solenoid'34, which take! tively in the pneumatic service and emerplace when the electro-pneumatic 'applicagency application positions of the brake tion of the brakes is effected,.will cause the valve so that in said positions current will service release device R to beclosed, current n'.1M

be supplied from the contact 15 through being supplied to the magnet 34 from snplply wire 111 and the handle 21 to said contacts. wire 14 through contacts 13 and-15,w ire 11, The stem 16 has a portion 24 which forms either the contact 22 or 23, according to the the core of a solenoid 25, the coils ot' which position, of the brake valve handle 21, to are in a branch of the circuit controlled by wire 115, thence through um et 34 and lllk the contacts 13 and 15, which branch is wire 110 to ground wire 117. he energize- `grounded as at 26. Also connected to move tion of magnet 34 then causes the bridging with stem 16, is the bridging contact strip strip'li to open the circuit throu h wire` 28, coiiperating with contacts 31, 32. These 114, so that the release'magnet 11 is decontacts, when bridgcd, serve to completi` a energized and the exhaust valve controlled Il circuit adapted to be supplied with current thereby is thus allowed to close. When t e from the car motor whereby to utilize the 4line current fails, the reverse switch oper.- currcnt generati-,d thereby when operating atcs to change the connections of thev cnr as a generator, to elfi-et cithcr a service or inctor M, so that the same operates-as a eni an cnicrgcmzy application ol' thcln'akcs. The crater in a closed circuit and as the fai um 135 motor isinilicntcil at M', and when operatcflinc current also causes the denergizaing in thc normal nmnnrr un tlic running tion of magnet 25, the Contact stripv 28 motor of thc train. it receives current Ircui bridges the contacts 31 and 32 so that l the trolley, third ruil or llicr source (Sl in circuit is closed through the emergency magthc. usual manner as indicated at 325, the sume net E as follows: from. the closed generator ).30

circuit through wire 30, contact 31, bridging strip 28, contact 32, wire magnet 34, and wire 110. The magnet 34 being energized by current from the motor M acting as a generator the bridging strip 35 is actuatedto open the release magnet circuit at the contacts 36 and 37, so that the release magnet t. is deenergized and the electric release valve thus closef'Lto prevent exhaust of fluid from the brake cylinder, thereby preserving the emergency application of the brakes by preventing the service release of the bra-kes.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that I provide various means for effecting an application of the brakes, as, `for instance, the usual servicel piieuinaticcon` trol, the usual electric service application,

Aan auxiliaryemergency:application which `may be a service application or 'inayxbeareinforcement of a service application; and an emergency application may be effected automatically 1n various ways and under I various exigencies arising in the operation of street railway systems. It will also be observed that I utilize the motor as a generf atOr under certain contingencies of operation, and apply the current generated thereby to effect an application of the brakes. I also provide means whereby, when` in einergency application the control of the release is taken away from the motorman; and :I employ` a master switch having such-relation that the various electric circuits may all be cut out or any desired one or more may be retained in operative connection for These various devices and features are coinhined together in such mann-er as to afford the greatest protection to life V'and' property in handling passenger traffic at high speed of operation required for rapid transit, and in handling congested traffic. The cars or trains `may be operated with increased safety at closer intervals and at high Speeds between stops, and a greater number of cars may be coupled up into a train than heretofore has been practicable without danger resulting from serial brake applications throughout a long train. It will also be seen that each car, has a similar equipment throughout, and consequently the work of making up trainsis greatly facilitated, by thus providing a multiple unitbrake controlv system of the nature and character above referred to. l

Many of thedevices and parts constituting the usual brake equipment of thefcars are not shown, -or are shown only in diagrammatic outline, the relation thereof tial features of ray-invention. f

Many variations, changes and modifications in the details 'of construction-'and arrangements of the various parts will readily occurto persons :skilled inthe art and still the brakes, effecting an emergency application of the.

lswitch for controlling but sulicientl-y to show and the functions per-` formed in the'coinplet'e system-by the essenl limited or restricted to the exact or any'specific details shown and described, in the broadest scope of my invention as .dened in the claims. But f Y Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention, and various constructions and arrangements embodying the`r principles thereof, and having described (the saine, their purpose, function, cooperative relation and operation, what I claim as new anduiselful, ,and of my, own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is :-v

`l. In 4an electro -.,pneumatic brake, thecombination with an electro-pneumatic device for effecting a service applicat'pn of an electro-pneumatic dev. `ce for brakes, and a inotorinans brake switch for controlling the circuits of said devices, of ainaster switch for cuits.

combination with electro-pneumatic devi-ces for 'respectively effecting: a service application, an emergencyapplication, and the release controlling said circuits ineffective.

'5. In an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with electro-pneumatic devices for Vcontrolling the brakes and va brake switch for controlling the electric circuits of said devices, of a master switch for also controlling said circuits and means associated with said master switch for effecting an application of the brakes.

G: In an electro-pneumatic brake, the

'combination'with electro-pneumatic devices for controlling the brakes and a 'brake the electric circuits of said devices, of a master switch lfor also controlling said circuits and an electropneumatic device associated with said masterswitch for effecting an application vof lthe brakes upon failure of line current.

7. In an electro-pneumatic brake', the combination with electro-pneumatic-devices for controlling the brakes and a ,brake switch for controllingthe .electricv circuits of said devices, of a master Iswitch for also plurality of circuits 'for L also controlling said cir- 2. In 4an electro-pneumatic brake, vthe of the brakes and a` brake switchifor `controlling the circuits of said devices, of a controlling said circuits and an electropneumatic device associated with said master switch and having its vcircuit. controlled by said master switch for effecting an application of the brakes upon-failure of line current. i

8. In an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with a brake pipe, a reduction in pressure in which operates to apply the brakes, electro-pneumatic devices for also controlling the brakes, and a brake switch for controlling the electric circuits of said devices, of a master switch for controlling the circuits of said devices and an electropneumatic device associated withsaid master switch for venting fluid from the brake pipe upon failureof line current.

9. In an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with electro-pneumatic devices for controlling the brakes and a vbrake switch for controlling the electric circuits of said devices, of a master switch for also controlling said circuits and means associated with said master switch for warning the operator when the brakes are applied.

10. In a multiple unit electro-pneumatic brake control system for cars, the combination with brake applying devices, of electropneumatic means for controlling the same,iv

a circuit therefor, a contact arranged in said circuit, al rocking device associated therewith, grounded contactson opposite sides of said rocking device adapted to be connected to said device upon movement thereof.

11. In an electro-pneumatic brake, the

combination with electro-pneumatic devices forl controlling the brakes and manually operated means for controlling the circuits of said electro-pneumatic devices, of a master switch for controlling the current supply for operating said devices and means associated with said switch for eiecting an application of the brakes.

12. In an electro-pneumatic brake, the

lcombination with manually operated means electro-pneumatic device and an electro- 4 pneumatic device associated with the master switch and having the electric circuit thereof controlled bythe master switch and adapted to effect an application of the brakes upon movement of the master switch to 'off position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, on this 15th day of April A. D., 1910.

Witnesses: Mar. W. CLINTON,

CLARENCE HUNICHE.

JAMES s. Dormi.'v 

